Time flies so fast indeed. Another year was about to end and another year about to start soon. The first snow finally started a few days ago and they couldn't have been happier especially her.
She has always loved winter. It was her favorite season and time of the year. She loves feeling the wind gush and brush her skin. She loves feeling the snow and making random shapes with those objects or sort of clippers. She loves feeling the coldness it brings.
All these reasons and when she thought that it wasn't possible but she loved winter even more. When she met this person she has always loved ever since they were kids — her first love, her everything and her christmas love. She has always admired the woman, following her around anywhere when they were kids and just practically clinging to her until they grew up and until now that they are together.
She walks happily into their neighbor house — to the person who caught her heart and warmed her up when she was as cold and frozen like winter. Finally reaching the door, she pressed the doorbell and waited for her. She didn't know why she was so giddy when she practically sees her everyday or maybe it's because she had a plan for them today.
Moments later, the door finally opened revealing her girlfriend who was dressed up just like she told her to.
"Hey" She greeted her
"Hey Ryuddaeng. You look good"
"You too as always"
"Well then, shall we go?" She asked and extended her hand
Yeji reached for her hand and intertwined their fingers, "We shall"
Unlocking the car with her keys, she first assisted her girlfriend into getting in like she always does before she went into the drivers seat and started the car. As they were driving somewhere, Ryujin didn't noticed that she was happily humming and tapping the steering wheel.
"You seem so happy today? I mean I know you love this season and this day because it's special to us, but there's really something with you today" Yeji pinpointed
"Huh?" Ryujin finally snapped out of her bubble. "Well you're right, I'm just really happy today, can't I be?"
"That's not what I meant" Yeji said and seemed to be into her thinking phase that Ryujin always found adorable as the former would be engrossed into what she was thinking, with her eyebrows furrowed and her lip a little jutted out.
"Aha! Now I know"
"What?"
"You have plans, don't you? I know you do so don't even try denying it Ryujin. Plus, I know you always have something up your sleeve but today must be extra special huh?"
Ryujin tensed for awhile. She was nervous and anxious because she didn't know if her girlfriend has an idea on what her surprise for today would be. Luckily for her, Yeji didn't noticed.
"Hmm, got no comments for that Yeddeong and if you knew, you shouldn't have asked then"
"Oh don't try to outsmart me Shin. I was just merely confirming and I was indeed right"
Ryujin chuckled, "Yes ma'am"
Silence filled the car after that. With music playing in the background from one of their playlists, it was a comfortable silence between them. A few more minutes of drive and they finally arrived at their destination.
Ryujin noticed the twinkle in Yeji's eyes as she finally realized where they are.
"No way! We're really here. We're back!" Yeji walked up to entrance of the park where they first met.
"Oh how I've missed this!"
"I know, it's totally evident"
"Well didn't you? They had to almost close this down Ryuddaeng! I was just so glad they didn't"
Ryujin has finally catch up with her, smiling to herself as she knew the reason why. Going to Yeji's side, she observed the latter who was taking in the newly renovated park and the current set-up made by Ryujin. She smiled widely to herself because she knows that expression on Yeji's face right now. It was that expression that she has when she's in awe and just speechless. Ryujin always loved this side of Yeji, it's like her first life, eyes always shining and appreciative of the people and things around her.
The park may also have been currently filled by snow but Ryujin was able to set-up a spot for them with the help of their friends and family.
"So, do you like it?" Ryujin finally asked after a fee minutes of silence
"Like it? That's an understatement because I LOVE IT!" Yeji beamed
"I'm glad you do, it was hard setting those up you know, the snow was too much"
"I know, thank you for this. Like really, I just... thank you Ryuddaeng. I seriously love it" She said as she pounced on Ryujin and hugged her tightly
Encircling her arms around Yeji and hugging her back, they just stood like that for awhile. "You're most welcome Yeddeong" She whispered and kissed her temple
Yeji then moved back and looked at her. "So, what are your plans for us today?"
"Well, just wait and see. But since it's currently 6 in the evening then we'll first have our dinner.
"C'mon the food must be getting colder so let's dig in"
Yeji laughed when she heard that
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just you said dig in and that's so not of you to say"
"Well it just slipped out of my mouth"
Walking towards the table, Ryujin pulled out the chair for Yeji to sit on. Afterwards, she went to the other chair and sat down.
"I just ordered our favorites and steak plus wine of course. Guess this is somehow as important as the others when it comes to romantic dinners"
"Where'd you even get that notion?"
"Well isn't in true though, romantic dinners usually consists of steak and wine and if not, maybe pasta or it just depends on the place"
"You watch too many dramas" Yeji shook her head and chuckled
"Don't sulk, okay I agree with you, you're actually kinda right"
"So let's eat now?"
"Alright"
Ryujin then lifted the cover of the foods on the table. She popped the wine and poured both their glasses.
"Thank you"
"Why, you're welcome my lady"
Yeji laughed, "Oh that's so not you too. Thought you found those cringe? Slipped out of your mouth too?" She teased
"Well today's just an exception alright, I want to make you feel extra special today" Ryujin commented, smiling when she saw the latter who turned quiet and got red a bit
"You're cute"
Feeling her cheeks heat up more she just told her that they should finally eat now. And so, they finally did. Talking, teasing and laughing with each other like they always do.
Both felt so happy as if this was one of their first dates — well their friends has always found them as the yucky lovey-dovey couple among them.
Finally have rested after finishing their foods, Ryujin asked Yeji to stand up.
"What are you planning?"
Yeji saw the mischievous glint in the other's eyes. "We're playing!"
"Playing what exactly?"
"Nothing, just playing in the snow like we used to when we were kids"
Yeji hesitated into which the other noticed
"C'mon Yeddeong, it will be fun and we're the only ones here! Please?" Ryujin cutely said as she gave that expression Yeji knew so well when the former wanted something from her
"Fine"
"YES! Now let's go!" Ryujin removed her coat as she went into the snow and dropped herself in it.
Finding it adorable how Ryujin seemed so excited like a kid, she took a picture and a short video on her phone to keep as a memory. She always love this side of Ryujin, how she randomly shows this child-like side of her and it's only her who could always see it.
"Why are just standing there? Come here Yeddeong!"
Taking her coat off as well, she finally walked towards Ryujin. As she was now in front of her, the other pulled her down.
"Yah!"
"Sorry Yeddeong" Ryujin giggled and just hugged the other.
Sitting up, Ryujin got a bit of snow and sprinkled it to Yeji's face then ran away before the other gets her.
"Yah! Come here, I'll get you too" Yeji said as she gathered some snow and rolled it to throw to Ryujin.
"Well come and get me then" Ryujin said as she posed those childish poses children do when threatening their playmates and laughed as she run with Yeji following behind her.
They continued playing like that, making snow angels and a snowman as well. Feeling tired after all those playing, they just lied down on the snow taking in the view of the night sky as the stars shine brightly. A comfortable silence filled them up again and Yeji was about to speak to thank her when the lights around them turned off.
"What is that? Ryuddaeng, can you turn on the lights again?" Yeji said as she nudged Ryujin but felt no one besides her.
It wasn't really that dark because of the moon and stars but it still scared her a bit. "Yah! Where are you? This isn't funny, just open the lights please"
Finally standing up, the lights opened again as well but this time, it was those christmas lights that were just hanging earlier. Dusting herself up, she noticed an arrow pointing forward.
What are you now up to Shin Ryujin?
Deciding to follow it, she walked forward until she found another. Following all those, she reached a tree wherein something was attached on it.
Remember this tree? We carved our initials here when we got together and guess what, it's still here. But this is not exactly what I want you to do. Open the envelope and press the button inside it.
Following the instructions, she pressed the button and seconds later, lights opened up on the path she was walking on and pictures of them were hanging on a string that were connected to the trees. From their childhood pictures to their pictures till today.
Following the trail and looking at each picture, she's now tearing up. She was able to reminisce each event from those pictures. Smiling to herself every now and then, she reached the end of the trail.
There were no more signs now so she didn't know what to do but lights opened up again and she finally saw the person she was looking for, standing on the center and smiling widely at her.
Ryujin walked towards Yeji and gave her a bouquet of her favorite flowers.
"Hey again"
"Yah! You're making me cry"
"I'm sorry baby, I just wanted to surprise you" Ryujin chuckled a bit and hugged the other
"Let me get these flowers and put it in the table there first" Ryujin said
After that, she finally stood face-to-face again with Yeji. Nervous and anxious are an understatement to what she was feeling right now. It is what she's feeling but also it's like more than that. Taking a deep breath, she took Yeji's hand into hers.
"My Yeji. 20 years! We have known each other already for that long. Can you believe it? How times flies so fast indeed. It feels like yesterday when we first met each other and you found me annoying but eventually befriended me too" They laughed at that. She turned serious again. "We've went through a lot and despite the rough patches that came in between, we were able to always fix it in the end. So thank you. Thank you for your endless trust, honesty, kindness and patience with me. Thank you for just everything. Also, sorry. Sorry for all the times that I've hurt you. Sorry for the times that I was too much for you. But seriously, can you believe we're here now? From childhood friends to lover. How cliche isn't it? But I'm so glad I was able to experience all this with you. You know I'm not really much of an expressive person with words but more with actions. I honestly had a script in mind but all those were gone the moment I saw you standing in front of me earlier."
Ryujin paused before finally kneeling down. "So before I continue rambling on and I know you're smart so you might have finally caught up. My Yeji, are you ready to take our relationship to the next level? To the person who has the characteristics of my favorite season, are you willing to spend the other three seasons with me for the rest of our lives? To my other half and opposite who rises and sets with me. Will you marry me?"
Yeji was now crying as she was taking in everything that just happened. Few seconds later, she finally answered, "Yes! Of course I want to marry you"
Ryujin also couldn't help it anymore so her tears finally fell down as she stood up and put the ring on Yeji. After that, she hugged her tightly and just spun her. Pulling back from each other a bit, they stared into each other's eyes. Ryujin leaned closer as Yeji closed her eyes. Their lips finally touched. It was surreal. It's like the first time they kissed. They kissed each other slowly, feeling and taking in the moment.
Minutes later, they were out of breath so they pulled back. Connecting their foreheads with each other they just smiled at each other.
"Thank you for today and for everything Ryuddaeng. I love you"
"Thank you as well Yeddeong. I love you my first love and my everything. Merry Christmas my christmas love, to forever with you"
And so, they just spent kissing each other under the stars, both hearts beating as one.
———
Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all like this random oneshot I based off on the song which made me write this hours ago. Hope you all enjoy the rest of the year and have a happy holidays :)